Suzanne and I had the joy of going to four church services last weekend, one of them being Blazing Fire’s. Four different churches reflecting on the death and resurrection of our Savior Jesus. Four distinct flavors and traditions all celebrating the indescribable gift of grace. It was the beauty of the Body of Christ—one body and many parts—each part fully alive because of the head, Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 12:27; Eph 1:22-23)
One of the many ways Jesus’ death and resurrected life has saved us is by making us one in him. By reconciling us to Himself, the Father’s dream was for his children to enjoy their oneness with the Trinity and thereby, enjoy their oneness with one another.
I share this because we’re living in a time when we’ve been very tempted by the enemy to make the choice to be right rather than choosing loving connection. Our flesh (i.e. our selfish ego) finds many reasons to divide. Far too many. Fear causes us to recoil and look for distance from those who don’t see life the way we do. The inherent problem with dividing ourselves from those who think differently is that we will isolate ourselves down to the lowest common denominator…and life with our own self can become very lonely.
We were meant to share life with people who are different than us which, by the way, would be every other person on the earth. Those who choose to be right over choosing loving connection with others will read this article and immediately begin to justify why protecting yourself from those who think differently than you is the better course of action.
Love is always the better course of action. Above and beyond the doctrines of what each of us believes about Jesus and about our own life’s purpose, is the person of Jesus Himself. What I’m saying is that the Scriptures were never meant as a weapon to cause division and disconnection, but to draw us more deeply into the very heart of Jesus who personally teaches us about the ways of love.
The Author of Love placed Himself within us because only love can overcome all fear (1 John 4:18) so that we can choose connection over isolation and polarization.
Jesus said, “I give you a new command: Love one another in the very same way that I have loved you!”
Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends, said, “Above all, preserve an intense love for one another.” (1 Peter 4:8). Above everything else, do this one thing!
Paul, the writer of most of the books in the New Testament who was radically changed by a face-to-face encounter with Jesus, said,“Love never does the graceless thing;
never insists on its rights,
never irritably loses its temper;
never nurses its wrath to keep it warm.
Love’s first instinct is to believe in people;
love never regards anyone or anything as hopeless;
nothing can happen that can break love’s spirit.
Love lasts forever.”
(portions of 1 Cor 13 in Barclay’s Translation)
Loving each other, then, appears to be the biggest deal to God.
Remember that all transformation in our lives—the living Jesus within us—happens by grace! So, if you are willing, pray this (out loud preferably):
Father, soften my heart with your tender love.
I choose, by your grace, to love others with the very same love you have for me.
Holy Spirit, show me where I’ve made being right more important than loving connection.
I choose to turn away from my flesh and yield to your life in me instead.
Jesus, thank you for demonstrating on the earth what love looks like.
As your follower, I am a new creation—one with you and with your life flowing through me.
I receive your grace to walk in the fulness of your prayer (John 17:21)
that we would all be one just as you and the Father are one. | 
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